Original Articles

  • CalHHS Secretary Extends Mask Mandate to Mid-February

    Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) secretary, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month. The masking requirement intended to combat the coronavirus pandemic now runs through February 15. While citing a recent surge in the state’s positivity rate to over 21 percent, Ghaly also noted data on […]

  • Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP

    Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]

Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web

    Finding Your Voice as a Workplace Safety Leader

    Leadership “Isn’t About Knowing Everything – It’s About Listening”

    • Women in safety need to stop taking a passive role in conversations or apologize for having a different opinion, says Janet Holt-Killingbeck, director of health and safety field support for Hydro One.
    • Safety is more than policies and procedures, she says, it’s about protecting lives.
    • Safety leaders don’t have to fit a specific mold, Holt-Killingbeck states. It’s all about passion, persistence and a willingness to learn.
    • Holt-Killingbeck will share her experiences and observations at the upcoming “Women in Safety” summit in Calgary, Alberta.
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    How Nevada Plans to Keep Cool

    • Nevada OSHA is implementing a heat illness prevention regulation for the Silver State. The agency begins enforcement on April 29.
    • Nevada’s version requires employers with more than 10 employees to create a written safety program and conduct job hazard analyses.
    • Specific elements include access to potable water, provision of rest breaks, training, designating an employee to monitor working conditions, and emergency response procedures.
    • Employers who aren’t covered by the regulation nonetheless are required to protect employees from recognized hazards such as heat under the state’s General Duty Clause.
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    Best Safety Practices in Animal Food Manufacturing

    • Preventing accidents involving equipment in the animal food manufacturing industry demands “proactive” strategies.
    • These strategies include assessing risks, implementing safeguards, and providing adequate warnings and training.
    • A quality risk-assessment process is the foundation of a strong safety program and should be performed routinely.
    • Manufacturers in this industry have a new tool they can add to their arsenal: The American National Standards Institute’s Z535.7 standard on providing safety information electronically.
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    D.C. Worker Seriously Injured in Substation Shock

    • An employee of Pepco Electric was seriously injured after receiving an electric shock while working in a Washington, D.C., substation.
    • A hazardous materials crew and rescue squad were required to retrieve the worker.
    • The employee was jolted while working around an “electrical reactor,” according to an official of the District of Columbia Fire Department.
    • The man was admitted to a hospital in critical condition.
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